Washington (CNN) - As President Obama prepares to lay out an agenda Tuesday night, three congressional foes say his challenge might be a lot easier if he spent a little more time schmoozing.

"I think it would make a difference from this standpoint: It is easier to understand where someone is coming from when you have a relationship with him," said Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-South Carolina.

Watch CNN's comprehensive coverage of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address starting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET on CNN TV and follow online at CNN.com or via CNN's apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. Follow our real-time State of the Union live blog at cnn.com/conversation.

soundoff(18 Responses)

Rudy NYC

Schmooze more? That's kind of hard to do when people like Boehner don't even return phone calls. Let's get it right.

February 12, 2013 12:10 pm at 12:10 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

"I think it would make a difference from this standpoint: It is easier to understand where someone is coming from when you have a relationship with him,"
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I agree.
I also agree that it is next to impossible to have a relationship with folks who have told you and demonstrated to you that they want nothing to do with you. Know what I mean? Phone calls, not answered, invitations extended and not accepted, being in another part of the state when he comes to visit. You know, stuff like that can really cool the urge to merge.

That time has come and gone. The POTUS spent 4 long years trying to work with the republikkkan party, but they were so upset that after 100's of years of them being in control, finally there was a POTUS that looked slightly different and they lost their minds. The first thing they did was state their #1 goal.....to make him a one term POTUS. They then set out to obstruct any and everything he tried to do. I remember seeing Boehner on TV saying how the answer was NO before President Obama even put anything on his desk. Then the systematic attacks on him and his family were beyond shameful. They have showed him absolutely no respect in almost 5 years. Questioning his birth, people sticking their smelly fingers in his face, making drawings depicting him as a witch doctor, photoshopping photos depicting the First Family as apes. I could go on but why bother.

If anyone needs to schmooze, my money is on the GOP. It's way past time they showed him some respect.

February 12, 2013 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |

Malory Archer

News flash for ya rep. gowdy: Your party lost BIG TIME in November. If anyone should be schmoozing, it's your side of the house. Now get on your knees like you do for your corporate masters!

February 12, 2013 12:33 pm at 12:33 pm |

Marie MD

This isn't a make believe. This is the real world and the rethugs are the ones who have not reached across the aisle time and again because they would rather destroy the country than work with an elected president.
You are NOT going to change our minds as to what a pathetic lying opportunistic party you now have. All this reaching out to Latinos, for starters, is a ploy. Your clowns jindal, rubio and now the "doctor" are a pathetic trio.
Good luck, NOT, in 2014 and beyond.

February 12, 2013 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

cali girl

This from the party who has alienated every group of Americans. Old, poor, middle class, minorities, women, immigrants, veterans.

February 12, 2013 12:54 pm at 12:54 pm |

RR

They want President Obama to schmooze? And this from the Repubs who are the party of NO. Dream on.

February 12, 2013 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |

Facts don't Lie

just think if you were new on a job and you heard that the main goal of one of the work groups there was to get you fired or not want to work with you.....would you want to schmooze up to them more? I don't think I would.

February 12, 2013 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

Chris

Every time the Obama has tried to reach out to the GOP, all they have done is punched him in the face in response. The problem is that the Republicans idea of shmoozing is for Obama to just roll over and do whatever Republicans tell him to do.

February 12, 2013 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |

Rudy NYC

Do these three GOPers actually believe that the Republican Party is setting the standard example of how it should be done?

February 12, 2013 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

Romney is Still NOT My Hero

First, he's too strict and aloof, then it's he's needs to kiss up more... What's wrong with the GOPets? They want to turn him into Mitt Romnut (change mind, change it back, say one thing, do another, etc.). Sorry, but Mitt LOST!!!! Get over it.

February 12, 2013 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |

Reggie from LA

You mean like when you schmooze with lobbyists, the Kochs, Adelson, Trump and that crow of cronies? Ewwww!!

February 12, 2013 01:13 pm at 1:13 pm |

Sniffit

Translation: "Obama, please come shwo us your back so we can stab it." It would take all of a week for these same GOPers/Teatrolls to be spewing talking points accusing Obama's interactions with them of "poisoning the well" or whatever other nonsense they can come up with.

February 12, 2013 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

Larry L

I remember the blatantly racist signs and slogans displayed by the Tea Party in their rallies. I recall the Tea Bagger from the House yelling "liar" at the State of the Union Address. "Birthers" still exist in the House of Representatives. Senator Graham recently insulted the President publicly. Ted "Crappy-Pants" Nugent's threats to the President got him invited by Republicans to attend the State of the Union address. Republican Congressmen (like Ted Cruz) campaigned on their complete unwillingness to compromise. Why would the President feel the need to "schmooze" with these folks?

February 12, 2013 01:47 pm at 1:47 pm |

chilly g

the republicans though by not working with the president and being aganist everything he tyr to do was good policy
for them.they did not want to work with the president because something good may happen and the president will get reelected, well the president was reelected and for the next four will be runing the country. american has change
and the republicans need to do the same.

February 12, 2013 01:48 pm at 1:48 pm |

Lisa P.

So Republicans, here's your chance to set an example of congeniality, openmindedness and bipartisanship. And tact - you'll have to politely ignore Speaker Boehner's nasty remarks just up the page when inviting President Obama to your friendly social gathering. If you refused Speaker Boehner when he hands out the checks I would be more impressed, but I suppose one has to start somewhere.

February 12, 2013 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Joi Gibson

If the GOP weren't such ugly people maybe he would. Maybe if they would forsake the crazies in their party who call the president all sorts of names. Take some responsibility and stop blaming President Obama for everything.